Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)

The complainant has requested a copy of a funding application and contract for a study. The DHSC refused the request under sections 41, 43 and 40 FOIA.     The Commissioner’s decision is that for the parts of the application relating to the methodology of the trial the DHSC has correctly engaged section 41 and the public interest favours withholding the information. The Commissioner also finds the DHSC has correctly withheld personal data under section 40(2). However, the Commissioner considers that, for the financial breakdowns in the application and contract, the DHSC has failed to demonstrate there is a likelihood of prejudice to either its own or any third party’s commercial interests and section 43(2) is not engaged. The Commissioner requires the DHSC to disclose to the complainant the financial information that it has relied on section 43(2) to withhold.